Fraser Valley Bandits to become first professional sports team in B.C. to welcome back fans

Credit: Fraser Valley Bandits (CEBL)

The CEBL franchise will open its doors on Wednesday, July 14

The Fraser Valley Bandits have gotten off to a good start to the season so far, with a 4-0 record that’s tops in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

But the team released even better news today with the announcement that it will open up Abbotsford Centre for fans starting on Wednesday, July 14, when it hosts the Guelph Nighthawks.

The Bandits become the first professional sports club in B.C. to see fans since COVID-19 spread across the province in the middle of March 2020. The club last hosted fans for its season finale on August 15, 2019.

Abbotsford Centre, which was also recently announced as the new home for the Vancouver Canucks’ yet-to-be-named American Hockey League franchise, will welcome up to 50 percent of its regular capacity of just over 7,000. 

The Bandits become the third CEBL team to announce that fans are permitted to return to the stands, following clubs in Edmonton and Saskatchewan.

“It has been an electric start to our campaign, and we can’t wait to invite fans back to Abbotsford Centre for a riveting entertainment experience and to witness the culture that we are building here in the Fraser Valley,” said Bandits vice-president Dylan Kular in a release.

The team is selling tickets for three regular season home dates that can be purchased here.